How Do We Know the Bible is True? Is it Really the Word of God?

Many critics of Christianity attack the Bible’s truthfulness. Many don’t believe it because they say it was written by man. Is the Bible really God speaking to man? Is the Bible of human origin or a direct revelation from God?

The Bible

The word Bible is from the root word “biblios” which is Greek for “little books.“ The Bible contains 66 books and was written by 40 authors. The books you see in most Bibles have been tried and tested and were generally accepted by the early church. For centuries the Bible was not available to the general public due to their being only hand-copied ones available. The Bible has been banned from many nations, it has been burned by others, it has been declared out of date by moderns, but it has brought salvation to untold millions. It is the unbridled truth and the unchangeable Word of God that changes those who read it. When people read it, it reads them too! It comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable. What follows is conclusive evidence that we can believe that the Bible is God speaking to us and not just the words of men.

The Bible is the Word of God, as men were moved by the Holy Spirit to write it.

Thus Says the Lord or Thus Says Man?

If the Bible were indeed a work of man, then we would expect some of the words to say, “thus says the prophet Jeremiah” or “thus says Peter an Apostle of God” but it doesn’t. From what I could count, “Thus says the Lord” is recorded 418 times. If it were of human origin, then we would read somewhere that the Bible or the message came from a certain author but we never see that anywhere. On the contrary, we read over 1,000 times where “Jesus said” and “Thus says the Lord” were written down. In fact, even the Book of Revelation is not called John’s Book of Revelation at all. In Revelation 1:1-2 we see where the words of this book came from: “The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John.” So John was just the recipient of the book as he just wrote down what he was told. Paul said, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16). Paul clearly said that all Scripture is God-breathed…not just the New Testament or the Old Testament, but all Scripture. Peter reiterates it by writing, “For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet 1:21). Peter would tell you that “you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation” (2 Pet 1:20).

God gives a very serious warning to anyone who takes away or adds to any of the words in the Bible, indicating that only He gives the words of this book and no human had better tamper with it. In Revelation 22:19 God warns that if anyone adds to or takes away any of the words of the Bible, He “…shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city (heaven or the new Jerusalem)”. This same warning is given in the Old Testament in Deuteronomy 4:2.

Alleged Errors in Transcribing

When the Word of God was reproduced to make another copy, well before the printing press was invented, there were 70 scribes that worked on it with expert precision second to none. Imagine that each of the scribes had the other sixty-nine scribes check their writings for error. Each of these seventy scribes reviewed each other’s work and every written copy, letter by letter, line by line, book by book were examined meticulously. If any errors were found, the started all over again on that particular book or page. Imagine you’re one of the scribes and you have just finished a section. Now the other sixty-nine scribes check your work and compare it to the original. The amazing fact is that their methods resulted in such an accurate reproduction of scripture that only one error for every fifteen hundred words occurred and these errors were so slight that they never affected the content. This copying left absolutely no room for any private interpretation or mistranslation at all. By modern standards, the accuracy rate is superior to that of Microsoft’s Spelling and Grammar Check, which by the way is not perfect. When you consider the stringent guidelines and conditions, no one can dispute that the translation differences had any negative effect on the message of the Bible or its general context.

Manuscript Evidence

New Testament manuscripts have been preserved by the thousands and the fact is that no other ancient works in human history have such enormous documented and recorded histories as does the Bible. There are about 6,000 complete or fragmented Greek manuscripts, 10,000 Latin manuscripts and over 9,000 manuscripts in various other ancient languages. The dates of these manuscripts range from the 2nd century up to the invention of the printing press in the 15th century. Nearly ever year there are more New Testament manuscripts discovered that were handwritten in the original Greek format which continues to add to the enormous collection already on hand. In 2008, 47 new Greek manuscripts were discovered in Albania. Of these, 17 of them were unknown to Western scholars.

The fact is that the amount of manuscript evidence is astounding. There are over 25,000 New Testament manuscripts of which 5,000 of these date from the first century. What that translates into for Historians is what is called a primary source. A primary source is a source that comes from eye witnesses. The nearly 6,000 Dead Sea Scrolls are so close in agreement, contextually, that there is only 0.01% in differences and the main differences are only in the differentiation of vowels. In no way do these miniscule differences affect the text or the context.

One of the greatest supportive facts is that the evidence verifies the dating of Matthew’s Gospel as far back as A.D. 60. Scholars argue that Mark wrote the first Gospel. This places the composition of Mark to within 20 years of the events that took place and were recorded in his Gospel. With the evidence that the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) and Luke’s second volume, Acts, were written so close to the time of the crucifixion, the record of the events of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection makes these facts indisputable. Luke and Acts was originally one book but was later separated into two books for the reader’s convenience but the content never changed. The fact that they were written within the lifetimes of those who were eyewitnesses is evidence strong enough to hold up in a court of law. Since the Old and New Testament manuscripts have been preserved by the thousands and there are no other ancient works in human history to compare to it, what we have today in the Bible is as a reliable source as any current historical account or newspaper printed today. The Bible is the Word of God, as men were moved by the Holy Spirit to write it. It is God speaking to us and it is without error and full of truth.

Jack Wellman is a father and grandfather and a Christian author, freelance writer, and pastor at the Mulvane (KS) Brethren church in Mulvane, Kansas. Graduate work at Moody Bible Institute. His books are inexpensive paperbacks that are theological in nature: “Teaching Children The Gospel/How to Raise Godly Children,“ “Do Babies Go To Heaven?/Why Does God Allow Suffering?,“ "The Great Omission; Reaching the Lost for Christ," and “Blind Chance or Intelligent Design?, Empirical Methodologies & the Bible."

Jack has written 400 articles on What Christians Want To Know! Read them in the archive below.

If you like what you're reading, you can get free daily updates through the RSS feed here. Thanks for stopping by!

I am a Christian who believes the Bible is the “Living Word.” In my studies and with help from my Strong’s Concordance, I’ve learned that in some instances word’s were incorrectly used. Some Hebrew words could not be defined accurately with English words.
Here is an example of what I’m trying to say…http://www.wildbranch.org/teachings/lessons/lesson11.html

Also found this…Unfortunately, the scribes we see in the New Testament did not approach unto this standard. Though the scribes were highly regarded by the people, Jesus saw the harm they were doing and often reproved them. In their study of the law, the scribes got caught in the intricate web of arguments over technical details that kills the spirit of God. The Jewish people found the teachings of Jesus so refreshing because “he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Matthew 7:29). In the passage in Matthew 23 where Jesus vehemently condemned the Jewish religious leaders, the scribes are specifically mentioned by name eight times. However, toward the end of the chapter (Matthew 23:34), Jesus tells the people that scribes had been sent by the Lord to encourage them to repent but only received persecution. It was not the position of the scribe that was evil, but rather their misuse of that position.

Jesus warned the people of the scribes who through their love of recognition and pretense brought upon themselves “greater damnation” (Mark 12:38-40). Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the scribes were involved in the condemnation and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. They had an honorable position and worked with the highest of subjects–the word of God. Yet, through pettiness and pride they led others to destruction and brought damnation on themselves. These scribes should ever be a warning to us while the ready scribe, Ezra, should ever be an example to follow.
That being said, I will continue to read the Bible. It is called the “Living Word” because you once read it, it lives inside of you. Things that don’t make sense at first, God will reveal in time. An intimate relationship with the Father offers wisdom beyond what you could have imagined. His word is the purest form of truth and I would be lost without it.

Thank you for this article. It is helpful to those who struggle to believe.

Thank you for this article Jack. I have been wanting something like this to share with others. You have such a wealth of knowledge. Thank you for sharing it and making it so easy to read and understand. God’s Word is true and perfect!

Fantastic article Jack. I remember when the Holy Spirit cemented the fact that I could trust the words of the Bible as the very Words of God. My life changed. My boldness in proclaiming the biblical truth increased more than I could imagine. The Christian must know, and believe, that the Bible he or she holds in his or her hand contains the very Words of God. We can trust it to be true. Thank you Jack.
Yours in Christ,
Robert

Thanks Robert. As I told Derek, I’m not sure if I am reading the Word or it is reading me…either way, I am never the same. Some parts of the world they would do anything to get a Bible or even begged on missionary for one page of the Bible so I surely don’t want to take it for granted.

David, thank you sir for your kind words my friend. I can not trust my own words but I can fully trust what God says. I tell my congregation often that “Parts of my sermon today will be perfect!…the part where I read out of the Bible.”

Hi Jack, I am really trying to believe the bible as the imfallible word of god without doubt, but athiests always come with something to make me anxious, I am actually very anxious right now, online an athiest had said that that the greatest minds in history are athiests, and do you know who Bill Nye is? I just found that some time back he had said the moon does not produce its own light and a read somewhere that what he said contradicts the bible. I turned to Genesis 1:16 and never said that the moon produces its own light, it just says it is lesser light to rule the night. Could you help me out a bit Jack? I am very anxious and scared of athiesm and what athiests are saying.

Hi Kidcruze,
I’m sure Jack will be more than happy to answer your questions, but I wanted to give you some reassurance in the meantime. I used to have some of the same doubts, anxieties, and worries that you are having. Every time some non-believer would throw some question at me, I would panic because I didn’t have an answer. I just want to encourage you with these two things to remember: (1) God’s word is trustworthy. I have studied it, and the atheist’s claims against it, for a long time now and it has never been proven wrong. When someone says that science contradicts the Bible, one of two things is going on. Either their claim is wrong, or our understanding of the Bible needs adjusting…the Bible is not wrong. Secondly, (2) even when we do not understand or do not know how to answer these atheists, we can trust in our loving Heavenly Father to see us through. Let me encourage you to rest in the knowledge that God is not surprised or threatened by unbelievers or their taunts. And we, as His children, should not be afraid of them either.
I hope this helps. Like I said, I’m sure Jack will give you some more encouragement. You have no need to fear those who reject God. Pray for them. God bless you.
Yours in Christ,
Robert

Thanks Rob, I appreciate it, I just always become skeptical and anxoius when athiests make certain claims, I was reading an article on biologists Michael Behe where he explains why evolution is not accurate, and in the comments section of that article, athiests cited scientific articles showing why evolution is observable and has according to them “overwhelming evidence”. Do you know who biologist Michael Behe is by the way? And do you know who Bill Nye is?

Thank you Robert, I could really use some help, I was recently reading an article on professor of Biochemistry Michael Behe where he explains why evolution is not accurate as often explained and in the comments section below athiests had said that he was a liar and all other names in the book and linked to websites that tried to prove why evolution is true and has lots of supporting evidence and that really bothers me emotionally. Do you know who Michael Behe is by the way?

Hello Kidcruze. Atheists have called this biochemist a liar because they don’t want to acknowledge that there is a God. The truth is that evolution remains an unproven theory for over 160 years and has not been able to have the name “theory” dropped from it because it is still theoretical and lacks 100% proof. Even evolutionists and atheists can not prove conclusively that there is no God and that atheism is more of a faith-based belief that is Creationism and God.. Don’t let atheists persuade you because they will say anything to try to push God out of the picture.

Thanks Jack, I have really been sad and depressed the last day or so due to what I have been hearing. It seems that athiests always come up with good arguments when debating christians such as “What created God” or “You don’t need God to be moral”. I understand that athiest can be moral people aswell but I get confused when some christians come out with an arrogant attitude which makes me doubt the christian faith and I have been raised a christian. Are there any suggestions as to how I can rationalize the “athiests arguments” and “arrogant christian” cases?

Hi Kidcruze,
Sorry it took so long to respond, but yes I know who Bill Nye is. He is a scientist, or he just acts like one, I’m not sure. I used to watch him with my kids until I found out what a devoted atheist and evolutionist he is. His god is science. For people like him, there is no need for God, science explains everything without God. Of course, he is wrong…science can’t explain justice, love, hope, or any other thing that is not material.
Jack Wellman is absolutely correct about people not wanting to acknowledge God’s existence. If they did, then they would have to acknowledge that they owe Him worship and obedience. They would rather be their own gods, and they use their interpretation of certain scientific information to support their rebellion against God.
Kidcruze, I am reading a great book right now that would probably be of help to you. I don’t know how old you are but, based on your comments, I’d say you’re old enough for this book. It’s about 200 pages, but I can’t hardly put it down. It’s called “Evolution Impossible” and it’s by Dr. John F. Ashton. It will certainly help you refute any argument an evolutionist can throw your way. I will be glad to help you if I can.
Michael Behe is a scientist who is not for evolution. He popularized the idea that creation makes more sense than evolution based on the fact that organisms must have a minimum amount of parts in order to work (irriducible complexity), so they couldn’t start out as a piece of an organism, but must have been created with all their parts ready to work. I probably didn’t explain that very well. Trust God always…He will see you through all the taunts and arguments non-believers can throw at you.
Yours in Christ,
Robert

Kidcruze…I am not sure why your comments are leaving the page but they are here for us to read. Anyway, thank you. When you leave comments, try refreshing the page because it takes a moment for the comments to appear.

I had checked out that website a few months ago and I had come across this youtube video claiming that godandscience.org is not a reliable website so I had left for a while and athiests on yahoo answers were also making insults to the website and the creator of the website. Is it ok if I kindly ask this of you? When you get the chance can you go onto youtube and in the search section type in “godandscience.org EPIC FAIL” and watch the entire video thoroughly and let me know if you detect anything wrong with the video uploaders claims? I am not very good in detecting fallacies in a persons claims thats why I ask please can you do this for me? I ask kindly of you to watch the video entirely

Kidcruze, again my friend I must warn you about these sources. You Tube and this “epic fail” is one that I am already familiar with. I will not go thru it all because I can already tell you that they take the scientific text proofs and taken them out of context and make them a false pretext. Why my friend are you even listening to these sources. Did I not just tell you about what Jesus said and what Jesus believed (creation, the flood of Noah account and Jonah?). Are you going to believe You Tube or Jesus? I have known of this for sometime. Atheists are going to say a lot of false things. By the way, did you know that atheists, by definition can not even exist? They can not prove that God does not exist. Please read this and see what I mean. I have to go to bed for I have Sunday school tomorrow & I need to pray and prepare a sermon. Do you have a church home? Talk to your pastor. If you don’t have a church home, you are a lone ranger Christian and Satan is described as a roaring lion seeking whom he might devore (1 Pet 5:8). Satan is like a pirate looking for lone sailors on a catamoran boat all by themselves.

Read this about atheists and have a good worship service tomorrow for I have to pray and get to rest. Do you pray as well? Read the Bible too?

Again, why do I need to see it again and why are you watching such videos. I knew it was “fail” so I will not have to debunk it…it is already debunked. Don’t be watching these for the enemy is planting doubts in your head by you willingly watching them friend. Beware of them.

Oh no I didn’t mean for you to watch it again I just corrected the title after checking of the video thats why you see my second comment down below My apologies and yes I do have a home church. I am just afraid of how my pastor will respond.

Hello Kidcruze. You asked me “Did you watch through atleas some of that video I told you about?” and I have seen these types of mis-information videos before. Let me ask you this. I beloved wife has been a 4th grade teacher for nearly 40 years and she has been a faithful and loyal wife for over that. If someone came up to me to say, “Hey, did you hear about…or did you see the video about your wife on You Tube or read what they said about your wife on the blog?”…etc, why would I need to even look or read it? I know and fully trust my wife. She has proven herself over the years to be a good and godly wife, mother to our children, grandmother to our grandchildren, beloved teacher to so many students over the years that said “She was my favorite teacher of all my life!” Why would I even want to listen to gossip or something that I KNOW in my heart and from my experience to be untrue?

That is what I am telling you about God and the veracity of the Bible, the truthfulness of Jesus’ teachings about creation, Noah and the flood, Jonah and the great fish, and so on. Since Jesus said there was a creation and that God is Creator, why should I investigate something I know can NOT be true. I have over the past years watched many of these and they are all propaganda and full of lies because many hate God and will do anything they can to discredit God and Creator and Jesus as Savior.

Why wouldn’t your pastor let you talk to him about this? You must stop watching such videos for you are allowing these doubts to creep in by doing so and God is not pleased. If you persist on watching or reading such material and reading about or hearing from atheists and agnostics you will always be full of doubt but the Word of God can not be broken, God can not lie, the Bible is true. That settles it for me. Why debunk what is already bunk!?

The thing is that I don’t intend on watching these videos or readimg these articles. I just draws to my attention whenever I see a video or news report pop up about these things. for example a few momths ago I happen to come across an artic

The thing is that I don’t intend on watching these videos or readimg these articles. I just draws to my attention whenever I see a video or news report pop up about these things. for example a few momths ago I happen to come across a news article on yahoo.com that spoke about seeing god and in the article a Jewish man claimed to have seen Mary during a course when he was sick and he wondered why being that he is Jewish and not Catholic or Christian. One of the psychologist stated “This is proof that God is only a figment of ones imagination” It is these type articles and videos that grab my attention. And I wanted to say that I thought about seeing my pastor and discussong this issue with him, but I had to leave a bit early yesterday so I didn’t get to speak with him. I just hope that he understands my troubles and doubts and doesn’t think of me as a blasphemer and think bad of me. I want to have a welcoming feeling knowing I can talk to him about anything. You won’t judge me because of the trouble and doubts that I am going through will you?

Kidcruze…I am sorry if I came across in the wrong way. I apologize for that and no, I am not judging you for this at all. Who am I to judge you on this for I was once full of doubts about whether the Bible was true or not and about evolution being fact or fiction. No, I am not judging you but only concerned for you as a father would be for a son my friend. Thank you.

Thanks Jack, I appreciate your kindness. About those athiest and scientific articles and videos is that some times temptation drags me into watching or reading whatever informatiom these sources say most of the videos I watch are debate videos between christians and athiests. Whenever I watch these videos it always seems that the athiests bring up good arguments and not sure the christian debater is not bringing up the kind of arguments to convince people, could it be that athiests have more questions about christians faith?

My friend…that’s a great point about the atheists and evolutionists that they might want to know more about God but just don’t want to because they would have to acknowledge their sins. Remember that Roman’s chapter 1 talks about them that “since what may be known about God is plain to them [as in creation], because God has made it plain to them [by the visible universe]. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made,[cause and effect…the universe didn’t come about on its own] so that people are without excuse.

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.[because they love their sins] 22 Although they claimed to be wise [trying to use logic, science, theories], they became fools [because the proverbs say the fool says in his heart there is no God] 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles [really, they worship the creation rather than the Creator].

Where did you hear that Josephus was a forgery. He was not a Christian and he was actually hired by the Romans to be a Jewish historian and he is one of the, if not the, greatest Jewish Historian that has ever lived. Get your hands on the massive volume of “Antiquities of the Jews” and you will see for yourself that is squares up with the Roman historians…besides, in that article about Jesus’ historicity, there were dozens more historians, right? They could not have all been wrong.

I have to go to bed now because I have to work as a bi-vocational pastor and I have a prayer list too…so I will reply tomorrow my friend. God bless for now.

I haven’t listened to it recently, but when I last heard the host of the show was discussing his athiesm with a christian caller. The host whose name is Matt said he was formerly a christian working to become a minister and that he prayed that god would give him wisdom in his word, during his quest to become a minister, he said his personal intense studies of world religions and their history led him to become an athiest. I know you have said people who are athiests who say they were once christians never had strong faith to begin, but I don’t get how someone can appear to have so much faith and still become an athiest. Could he have made a discovery that has convinced him? I am so confused.

My friend, you will continue to be confused the more you listen to these lies. What discovery could have convinced him that God does not exist. How can he prove that God doesn’t exist? The more you listen to these programs, the more confused you will become. But this is your choice. If you doubt God, then you will doubt him more and more the more often you hear such programs. I hope you don’t reach the point of this pastor-turned atheist.

Going back to one of my previous posts, you do know that there is on going debate amongst scholars about whether or not the Josephus accounts that speak of Jesus are originally written by him or later modified by a christian, right? Just asking.

Yes my friend, I am aware of those accusations against Josephus…ones that, by the way, have never been proven. There will always be attacks on the Person and historicity of Jesus Christ but Jesus said that this would most surely come.

Kid it doesnt take much discernment to tell you are really not desiring to believe God is God and His word is perfect, your psuedo humility and silly questions belie your whole hearted desire to decieve others into reading the atheist materials you are all to familiar with. You wont find much success here. I pray your deceptions prick your own conscience that you might truly repent and trust and be born again, if I didn’t love you and care for your soul I would not be so direct with you. May God give you grace and faith friend.
by grace alone
phishin4men

I have to take you at your word, so will you forgive me for judging you wrongly. I pray you will gain a resistance to articles that will not build your faith. It is said US Treasury men only study the genuine currancy to be able to tell the real from the counterfeit, there are way too many counterfeits, they would not be able to even find them all. If you know the truth the truth will set you free. When the word of God is engrafted into your soul you will recognize the false w/o studying it. God give you grace to long for the sincere milk of the Word

Good evening Jack, I wanted to ask a question regarding Paul the apostle and Jesus’s words to his disciples, did Paul really say that he belived that the world would end during his time and did Jesus say that he would return to earth within the lifetime or generation of his disciples?

Hello friend, Kidcruze. I believe that all of those in the New Testament times believed that Jesus Christ’s return could be at any moment. That is the way we are supposed to live by the way for He could return tonight or tomorrow.

As for Jesus, He never said the He would return within their lifetimes (they, being the disciples) but He said that ““Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” – Matthew 24:34 The “This generation” was that generation that Jesus was speaking about in the Olivet Discourse or Olivet Prophecy and so the things that were prophecied by Jesus would be the generation that would be alive when He returned as these prophecies were being fulfilled. Is this what you were referring to?

Kidcruze, there are no Scriptures that say that Paul believed the world would end in his lifetime. You say you always hear people say this….what people? Who? Why? Ask “these people” what Bible Scripture they have to prove it.

Evan Hopkins wrote, “We shall seek what we love and delight in. It is where our treasure is that our heart will be also. ‘Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is nothing upon earth I desire beside Thee.’ What are the things we are seeking? Those things that are filling our thoughts and attracting our affections. It is upon these we set our wills and concentrate our energies. It is not difficult to seek what we love.” (Broken Bread, July 30).

Its been a while since this was written by you so I trust that you will receive this. I am a believer in Christ and gave my life to him 6 years ago. I was intrigued by your dialog as I’m too conflicted at times as these times we live in can be very…tempting. I would recommend a gentleman by the name of Lee Strobel (Author) who used to be an Atheist. Check out Case for the Creator and The Case for Christ. I would invite you to listen or read both of these books. Even if you have decided to take the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior its a wonderful thing to be armed with knowledge that is indisputable in scientific and historical terms. May God Bless you and keep you. See you soon brother : )

Moses wrote the Old Testament with the inspiration of God,and the New Testament was written by Matthew, Mark,Luke,and John.
This book is one of the most controversial books ever to be written. Translators were used,plus the languages of Hebrew,Greek,Aramaic,and Latin, are argued amongst scholars of today, that cannot agree with a lot of the content.

Mr. Cotton,
Welcome to What Christians Want to Know. The point of your comment is a bit ambiguous. Do you believe the Bible is God’s word? It’s hard to tell from your comment exactly what point you are making. I would say that, simply because people argue, or have disagreements, about something does not establish or deny the truth of whatever it is they arguing about. Anyway, I hope I have misunderstood you and you are a born-again believer in the saving power of Jesus Christ.
Yours in Christ,
Robert

I was replying to a post on who wrote the Bible.
That it his a very complicated book to study. If you had a 100year`s just to study the Bible you would still not be able to understand it, if it was not for God.The point i am making is in what i have just wrote. When you say simply because people argue,or have disagreements. This is a powerful term,because in the name of religion many wars have been fought,and many people have been murdered. I was a Roman Catholic until about a year ago when something very profound happened to me.The Holy Spirit opened my eyes,and i could not believe what was coming out of my mouth.I then knew what Jesus meant that a man must be born again,and this happened to me. I was brought to this site by the Holy Spirit,and that it was not like any other sites.Yes i believe the Bible is God`s word

Mr. Cotton,
I welcome you once again to this site. And praise God that He has opened your eyes to the truth of His Word. You are absolutely right about the Bible; our understanding of it comes from God’s Spirit revealing it to us, not from our brilliance. When I said ‘simply’ in reference to disagreements, I was referring to the kind of disagreemenst that spark discussions on websites, not the kind of disagreemenst where physical force is used to impose one’s views on another. The Bible does not authorize believers to attempt to force others to believe…that’s not the way it works.
Well, brother, I thank you for clarifying your comment (sorry I’m so thick sometimes) and it is always encouraging to meet another Christian. Please visit whenever you’d like and feel free to comment. God bless you.
Yours in Christ,
Robert

I think it is not right calling yourself thick,and you are way above me on the Bible. I was on another Christian website,and experienced this,me like you being thick this guy was very intelligent.I try to write things down simple. I was told off because i said he lacked common sense. I evan conceded to him that he was an intelligent guy,and that he was right that there was a latin word for contradict,and i wrote it down Contra = Latin for ‘Against’ Dicere = Latin for ‘to speak. The word it`s self means ‘Speak Against’ or ‘Assert the Contrary’ He replied thats wrong. Jesus himself did not put one Apostle above any other. That it was wrong to show somebody up by being more intelligent than them.This is what it is about you did not understand me,and i gave you an answer back(It`s only polite) If you still did not understand it i would keep on replying to you,because i can see you are a good man. If you used strong words,that i could not understand you, like this guy did,and he did not give me a simple answer then i ignored him,and said that he lacked common sense. I thank the Holy Spirit that you understood Robert.

I also don’t quite understand what you are trying to convey. Very interested for you to give a better understanding of your comment. However it just may be I am a little dense, seems like I am always misunderstanding what my wife is trying to get across to me and that is after 52 years working on it.
by grace alone
phishing4men

Don`t worry i am the same has you ,if not worse.
When i left this site a very uncanny thing happened.
I stumbled on this documentary, and it was about who wrote the Bible,and i always give documentaries at least 20mins.
It was well over an hour long,and i was fascinated by it,and it was very good.
If you still can`t understand it let me know. I answered it under the title at the top of the page.

Thank you Jane for your question. Most people don’t realize that Mary was one of the most common names at the time of Jesus’ ministry on earth so there were literally thousands of Mary’s in Judea at that time. The short answer is No. They are two different Mary’s. Mary Magdalene was the woman who had 7 devils removed from her by Jesus. The other Mary was Lazarus’s sister.

Luke 8:2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,

John 11:2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)

Hey Jack,
I too am a christian and think you have many great writings.

However the section, Alleged Errors in Transcribing, is a bit inaccurate. I’m not suggesting that you back off the conclusion but suggest maybe using sources who study such things, such as scholars like David Parker.

1) Papyrus is so expensive that they would never throw it out.
2) What ancient source says that they had 70 scribes? The literacy rate was at 10%, this is highly unlikely.
3) Even if the 1:1,500 were true it must be a statistic about per transcription. But the copies we have, have been copied so many times. But the fact is that this number isn’t true. John Mills used 170 sources and found 30,000 notable differences! Among 6,000 copies there are bout to be more.

Plus think about how stories have been added: the story in John about the woman not being stoned or Mark 16:9-20. These are major theological differences added over the years.

Thank you Drew for your comment. In the first place, Introduction in Research in English Literary History, by C. Sandershe sets forth three tests of reliability employed in general historiography and literary criticism.[1]

These tests are: Bibliographical (i.e., the textual tradition from the original document to the copies and manuscripts of that document we possess today)

Internal evidence (what the document claims for itself)

External evidence (how the document squares or aligns itself with facts, dates, persons from its own contemporary world).

It is common knowledge that the scribe was considered a professional person in antiquity. No printing presses existed, so people were trained to copy documents. The task was usually undertaken by a devout Jew. The Scribes believed they were dealing with the very Word of God and were therefore extremely careful in copying. They did not just hastily write things down. The earliest complete copy of the Hebrew Old Testament dates from c. 900 A.D. You said that the literacy rate was 10%. No scribe would be assigned the task of being one if they were illiterate. Impossible. It is common knowledge and a verifiable historical fact that there was a group of Jews called the Massoretes. These Jews were meticulous in their copying. The texts they had were all in capital letters, and there was no punctuation or paragraphs. The Massoretes would copy Isaiah, for example, and when they were through, they would total up the number of letters. Then they would find the middle letter of the book. If it was not the same, they made a new copy. All of the present copies of the Hebrew text which come from this period are in remarkable agreement. Comparisons of the Massoretic text with earlier Latin and Greek versions have also revealed careful copying and little deviation during the thousand years from 100 B.C. to 900 A.D. But until this century, there was scant material written in Hebrew from antiquity which could be compared to the Masoretic texts of the tenth century A.D.

The supreme value of these Qumran documents lies in the ability of biblical scholars to compare them with the Massoretic Hebrew texts of the tenth century A.D. If, upon examination, there were little or no textual changes in those Massoretic texts where comparisons were possible, an assumption could then be made that the Massoretic Scribes had probably been just as faithful in their copying of the other biblical texts which could not be compared with the Qumran material.

What was learned? A comparison of the Qumran manuscript of Isaiah with the Massoretic text revealed them to be extremely close in accuracy to each other: “A comparison of Isaiah 53 shows that only 17 letters differ from the Massoretic text. Ten of these are mere differences in spelling (like our “honor” and the English “honour”) and produce no change in the meaning at all. Four more are very minor differences, such as the presence of a conjunction (and) which are stylistic rather than substantive.[2]

B. F. Westcott and F.J.A. Hort, the creators of The New Testament in Original Greek, also commented: “If comparative trivialities such as changes of order, the insertion or omission of the article with proper names, and the like are set aside, the works in our opinion still subject to doubt can hardly mount to more than a thousandth part of the whole New Testament.”{9} In other words, the small changes and variations in manuscripts change no major doctrine: they do not affect Christianity in the least. The message is the same with or without the variations. We have the Word of God. [3]

1. C.Sanders, Introduction in Research in English Literacy (New York: MacMillan, 1952), 143.

You said that “the story in John about the woman not being stoned or Mark 16:9-20″ have been stories that have been added. What proof do you have of such a statement? Even IF this were true, the message of the gospel is unchanged, Jesus was God and was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died at Calvary to redeem mankind, rose again on the 3rd day, so that we can live again and be born again. These are historical facts. This is God’s Word. It is God breathed. If you are a Christian, you must know this is true. The point is, we know the Bible is true. Do you agree? If not, then you disagree with 2 Tim 3:16 that ALL Scripture is God-breathed. If not, you have a problem. Then what if, to you, John 3:16 is wrong, Acts 4:12 is wrong, Revelation 20:12-13 is wrong?

And so, thought I, the anvil of God’s word,
For ages skeptic blows have beat upon;
Yet though the noise of falling blows was heard,
The anvil is unharmed . . . the hammer’s gone.
Author unknown

The consistency of the Qumran text is extremely interesting. And I didn’t realize that you were referring to much of the Hebrew text above, in which it is true that there were 70 some scribes. I know much more about NT transcribing than OT but I will have to read more about this.

I do believe the bible is true but there are differences in what has been transcribed over the years.

I was under the impression it was common knowledge that scribes much later added the end of Mark. Even BibleGateway includes this footnote along with most bibles and commentaries. The fact is that in the earliest Codex’s it doesn’t exist. It’s not because I dont’t like something its just what scholars have found. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%2016&version=NIV

So to clarify, I do agree that the bible is inspired, although I’m sure that 1 Timothy is referring to the Septuagint. We know this for a number of reasons partly because there was no New Testament. The Canon didn’t happen until the late 4th century and most of the books weren’t even written yet. So how could the author be referring to a book that doesn’t exist yet as the inspired word of God?

Now, having said that, just because that one verse doesn’t say that, doesn’t mean its not true. I believe Jesus rose from the dead but I do know there are numbers of differences in the scripture between then and now. I am not saying we don’t have accurate copies but at the time of the invention of the printing press they didn’t have access to all 6,000 greek copies we have now. And we’ve been slow to update. For example P46 says at the end of Romans Paul names two as apostles one being “Junia” which is a female name. Scribes changed these, this is obvious because early copies (including one the earliest P46) say Junia and now they say Junias. Things changed and perhaps that had motive or perhaps it was accident.

When you figure out how many angels can stand on the head of a pin please let me know. We have enough truth to be sure Jesus died and rose again for mankind to be forgiven and freed from self and sin Rom 6, 7, & 8 and the command to be going and make disciples that it would seem a waste of precious time trying to answer a few skeptics that doubt that God’s word is God’s word. I am sure my comments are viewed as simplistic and Shallow to all those skeptics however I will go a fishing will you come along. From what I know of the man lost And miserable, he does not find much comfort knowing more about what David Parker has to.say about transcribing. People are dying every moment without Christ, let’s go fishing
By grace alone
Phishing4men

You would have known in Revelations that John had a vision from an angel about the Whore of Babylon(The Catholic Church)about the beast she rode on which had Seven Heads,and had Seven Crowns to make them Seven Kings.
Now i will jump near the future the Vatican had a problem they did not have a complete say in the affairs of the church until Benito Mussonili(Excuse Spelling)met with the pope at that time to sort it out. The pope became a king,and this entitled him to declare that a certain area round the vatican became a country,and it had it`s own passport. In other words it became another country. This made him the first king in the vatican(The Beast had 7 crowns) there was a further 6 kings to come up to the present pope.
You would have read recently that two lightning bolts hit the cross at the top of St Peters Dome,and almost straight away the present pope resigned.He said he was getting too old to carry out he`s duties. That made him the first pope to resign since the last one for quite some time. This made him the seventh king(Remember the Beast) The next pope which they said that one may be elected on Easter making him the eighth king(The Beast seven Kings) In Revelations Johns vision said that it would be a fallen angel,and he would impersonate the Seventh King(Angel have the power to take on a human form)
which was John Paul,but he is dead. This is the one that the Fallen Angel will impersonate according to Johns Vision. I am waiting with bated breath for the next pope to be elected to see if Johns vision is true. If this does not happen then this theory is a load of rubbish.(Not Johns Vision).

Wow, you sure did set me straight! I got that from the website, brokenhearted baptist chruch, I think I will go with your belive and opinions. Thanks for that info.
Bro andrew peterson or for short bro Pete.

Thanks Bro Pete. The more I did research on the Bible and its historical documentation, accuracy, and veracity in manuscripts, the more I believe that God ensured that His Word would be delivered once, for all. That “baptist church” is one that I would be concerned about. If a pastor at that church for example doesn’t believe that the Bible is the accurate Word of God, then he needs to sell used cars or some other line of work. I appreciate your kind words sir.

Has you know Jack I was brought up a strict catholic,and they hardly taught you at all about the bible.(God`s Word) They were more interested in what the pope had for his breakfast,the dogma of the church. The thing that really damaged me was a priest could say you are going to Hell,and it was in the catechism. They ruled by fear?
It`s about two years since I came to this site,and I am very glad that the Holy Spirit dropped me off hear.
It`s been very hard work,but I have took particular notice in what is said in the bible. It confuses me at times especially the Old Testament,but I believe it to be God`s word.
Evolution I have only seen a picture starting with a small type monkey leading up to a figure of a blond man. I am not interested at all,and I havn`t read anything at all about it. I just think of this why is it that the monkey`s apes,and gorillas of today have not evolved into human being`s. Has for the archaeologist they fascinate me. I watched a documentary about God parting the Red Sea. In short at the bottom they where disturbing the sand,and one diver found a remarkable discovery. He took it to where they examined things,and it turned out to be an Egyptian Chariot Wheel,and they also found spears,and other things,proving to me that God did part the Red Sea. You would think that God would leave no trace behind Him. So to me God can do anything He want`s?

Thank you Anthony my friend. Paul said it all in Romans 1:18-23, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.”

Interestingly the word “suppress” means to “hold down, physically” and the picture or word means to hold down by force, like holding down on a coil spring. It is with intention. Yes, God can do anything He wants and that is why He is God and we are not! Thanks friend.

You are right there Jack.
I just cannot understand these Scientist`s and Atheist`s,because they just make things up has they go along.
They debunk God has though He was out of one of today`s movies. I wished I could have the know how like you Jack. I went to the link that you provided about the beginning. To tell you the truth it was way over my head,but I could see what you meant by looking at the Key simple word`s.
God can make Tulips grow on the Moon,and Lilies grow on Mars if He wants. People would read this and think I have lost it. I see it this way when you leave our galaxy and you see all of the other galaxies,and you travelled at the speed of light it`s vast beyond belief. The way I believe in God is some being made all this. It was definitely not formed by any big bang or any think like that. I thought when I was in my teens about this,and only the being God made all this. I find it`s far to much for any human being to understand this.
Most important God opened my eyes,I could see everything,and I could feel a presence. This must have been God. It is said if you refuse the mark of the beast they will kill you,but God promised that you have gave your life up. You would go straight to Heaven. God still reigns!

I’m having a very difficult struggle right now. I have become totally confused with all of the different opinions and interpretations of the Bible to the point where I’m doubting that the truth can be found. Can you please help me understand why God would make his word in a way that makes it so difficult to fully piece together? I want to believe more than anything else in the world, I’m just having tons of trouble knowing on what basis I can claim that the Bible is truly God’s word and that it is infallible when there are so many questions that I cannot seem to find anwers to in it. The Bible used to make sense to me, but right now I can’t seem to see the light. Where do I start in order to rebuild my faith?

I hear ya brother. I too am going thru some stuff right as well. I just replied to another brother up top. check out Lee Strobel (Author) who used to be an Atheist. Check out Case for the Creator and The Case for Christ. I would invite you to listen or read both of these books.

Also, Listen to praise music, go to church, get into a bible study be with other believers. I really do know how difficult it is. Its funny when I first became a believer every body said it was difficult…I thought…this was great…this wasn’t hard, but now after 6 years I see. This is my first official “backslide” And now that I know the Truth…I see the difficulty. Submerse your self as much as you can and he will cover you in light. He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matt. 16

I am a student of comparative religions and I have gone to Christian schools all my life and have been handed many versions if the Bible. Please confirm which one is regarded at the true word of God. The Catholic Bible has more books than then the KJV. Please inform me which one is the real word of God. Also, I thought that the authorship has been confirmed as mainly Paul and Matthew, John, Luke etc. If it came from man then how can it be the word of God? I do not mean to be offensive to anyone I just want some clarification. I also have read versions of the Bible that take out the word “begotten” and replaced with “only” or “one and only” son. John 3:16. I have trouble with the idea that all bibles are the word of God. And All these translations mean the same. Personally I feel that God is above the animal act of begetting and I would like further clarification. In the Bible the virgin birth of Jesus is referenced as him being the son of God. My question is if Jesus was the son of God because he had no father then Adam seems like a better son of God as he had no father or mother? Again, I do not want to offend anyone, I am simply inquiring. I also have gotten the explanation that the Holy Spirit had a hand in helping Paul, John, Matthew, Luke etc. I would imagine that the Holy Spirit is would not deceive and say multiple different things but I found discrepancies in the bible. I also notice that every Church claims to have the Holy Spirit among them. And I get it that the Holy Spirit can be in many places at once but would is tell everyone something different? If not, which church would be the one with the true Holy Spirit. Your knowledge in this matter is much appreciated.

First, we deal with Astronomy. The Bible speaks about the creation of the universe. In the beginning, 1st Book, Book of Genesis, 1st Ch., it is mentioned – It says… ‘Almighty God created the Heavens and the Earth, in six days and talks about a evening and a morning, referring to a 24 – hour day. Today scientists tell us, that the universe cannot be created in a 24 hour period of six days. Scientists say we have no objection in agreeing that the universe – it could have been created in 6 very long periods.

Point No.2 – Bible says in Genesis Ch. No. 1 Verses No. 3 and 5,…‘Light was created on the first day.’ Genesis, Ch., 1 Verses, 14 to 19… ‘The cause of light – stars and the sun, etc. was created on the fourth day’. How can the cause of light be created on the 4th day – later than the light which came into existence on the first day? – It is unscientific.

Point No.3 – Further, the, Bible says Genesis, Ch. 1, Verses 9 to 13… ‘Earth was created on the 3rd day. How can you have a night and day without the earth ? The day depends upon the rotation of the Earth Without the earth created, how can you have a night and day?

Point No..4 – Genesis, Ch. No. 1 Verses 9 to 13 says… ‘Earth was created on the third day.’ Genesis Ch. No. 1 Verses 14 to 19 says…‘The Sun and the Moon were created on the fourth day.’ Today science tells us… ‘Earth is part of the parent body… the sun.’ It cannot come into existence before the sun – It is unscientific.

Point No. 5 – The Bible says in Genesis, Ch. No.1, Verse No. 11 to 13…‘The vegetation, the herbs the shrubs, the trees – they were created on the 3rd day And the Sun, Genesis, Ch. No. 1, Verses. 14 to 19, was created on the 4th day. How can the vegetation come into existence without sunlight, and how can they survive without sunlight ?

Point No.6 – The Bible says in Genesis, Ch. 1, Verses No.16, that…‘God created two lights the greater light, the Sun to rule the day, and the lesser light the Moon, to rule the night. The actual translation, if you go to the Hebrew text, it is ‘lamps’…‘Lamps having lights of its own.’ And that you will come to know better, if you read both the Verses – Genesis, Ch. No.1, Verse. 16, as well as 17. Verse No.17 says…‘And Almighty God placed them in the firmament, to give light to the earth… To give light to the earth.’ Indicating, that Sun and the Moon has its own light – which is in contradiction with established scientific knowledge that we have. There are certain people who try and reconciliate, and say that the six days mentioned in the Bible, it actually refers to epocs – long periods – not six, 24 hour day. It is illogical – you read in the Bible, evening, morning – It clearly states 24 hours, it indicates. But even if I use the concordance approach – no problem. I agree with your illogical argument – Yet they will only be able to solve the 1st scientific error of 6 days creation, and second, of first day ‘light’ and 3rd day ‘earth.’ The remaining four, yet they cannot solve. Some further say that… ‘If it is a 24-hour period, why cannot the vegetables survive for one 24 hour day without sunlight?’ I say ‘Fine – If you say that the vegetables were created before the sun, and can survive for one 24-hour day, I have got no objection. But you cannot say the days mentioned are 24 hours as well as epochs – You cannot have the cake and eat it, both. If you say it is long period, you solve Point No.1 and 3, the remaining 4 are yet there. If you say the days are 24 hours day, you solve only Point No.5 – the remaining 5 are yet there – It becomes unscientific.

Dear “Factvsfiction.” I see that you are only copying your questions from another website and it is word for word, therefore you are not really wanting to investigate whether the Bible is true or not. You are already convinced that is wrong. I see you were not legitimately seeking to know God, to honestly know about the Bible and to be sincere in your questions is not to be believed, therefore, since you like to argue and debate using other website materials since you cannot come up with your own arguments yourself, I think you are done here. You might as well plagerize all the other atheist arguments which are worn down and tired.

The website you are copying and pasting from in your comments, which are not allowed by the way, here is what that website says about what they believe:

“I don’t believe that I should have to take anything on faith. Faith, by definition, is the belief in something which has no evidence. Maybe faith works for you, but not for me. I can’t believe in something just because an ancient book said so.”

So much for your sincerely wanting to know the truth. Are you really “a student of comparative religions and I have gone to Christian schools all my life.” Satan knows the Bible well and believes in God but that head knowledge never will save him. You will know that there is God someday just seconds after your death but then it will be too late, for which I am so sorry my friend (Rev 20:11-15).

Jack I am trying to be compelled. I would like to hear a good reasoning to the question that factvsfiction poses, be it plagerized or not. I’m trying to research and believe in the bible but I’m finding that whenever a tough question is asked the answer is to discredit the asker rather than to provide a thoughtful and convincing response.

Scott…please forgive me for responding so late. I just had completed 2 12 & 16 hour days and so am just now responding. Let me say that God the Holy Spirit can only to you whether the Word is true or not and I cannot give you compelling evidence to make you believe. You either believe it or not. You said that “whenever a tough question is asked the answer is to discredit the asker rather than to provide a thoughtful and convincing response” so just remember that only the Holy Spirit can open their minds to whether the Bible is true or not. No one is ever convinced to believe but this is the work of the Holy Spirit. Read this in Matth 16:13-17 “When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. “

2 Tim 3:16 says “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” Now this is true or it is not. To believe is a freewill choice. Jesus said in Matt 24:35 that “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” And in Matthew 5:18 “For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” And 1 Peter 1:25 Peter says “but the word of the Lord remains forever. And this word is the good news that was preached to you.”

God is the evangelist. God alone draws men and women to Christ (John 6:44) but you can pray for her most certainly…even fast to show God you really care for the lost’s eternal souls.

Thank you Rocky for your question. I don’t know how to answer that my friend because the Bible doesn’t give us Scriptures about such a thing. I would say that we should be happy with the body that God did give us because He makes no mistakes and we are said to be fearfully and wonderfully made so based upon biblical principles of being content in whatever state we are in (wrote Paul) then I don’t think we should alter our body in any way unless it is because of a birth defect or abnormality. Thanks Rocky. Good question.

I want to thank you for this great article.
I was raised as a Christian but when I became a teenager I also became a rebel. I didn’t believe the Word of God anymore, or at least I didn’t think about it anymore. I sinned in so many ways.
It wasn’t until a few years ago when I was at a bookstore, that it was as if someone guided me, I picked up the Bible instead of another book and it was the best decision I’ve ever made.
When I got home and started reading the Word of God, I said to myself Lord how could I have ever doubted you? I felt ashamed of all the things I had done.
Ever since then, my life has changed so much. I don’t feel hatred anymore, I don’t doubt anymore, I feel as if finally I know what my purpose in life is. And I teach this to my children as well.

You were so right when you said you don’t just read the Bible, the Bible also reads you!It’s so true.
For anyone who wonders if the Bible is real, if it really is the Word of God, I’d say: read the Bible and you will know! You will feel that this truly is the Word of God. And you will experience how much it can change your life, for the better.

Amen Audrey….there is real power in the Word of God to change lives and when the Word is mixed with the Spirit of God then lifechange can occur, as your testimony proves. Thank you so much for the encouragement that there is the power to change lives for all eternity in the Bible.

Great Book!

Welcome to What Christians Want To Know! The mission of this site is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians. Look for regular updates including Bible Verses, Bible Stories, Christian Quotes, Christian Answers, and much more. Find out more here

Featured Bible Verse

1 Chronicles 16:11 Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!